Evacuation blanket and system

ABSTRACT

A blanket used for evacuating or transporting medical patients comprising a first side, a second side, a first outer edge, a second outer edge and a plurality of pockets disposed on one of the sides wherein the open end of the pocket is proximate a center of said second side and said closed end is proximate one of said outer edges. One or more item stored in at least one of the pockets wherein the item of information may be patient identification information, treatment instructions, medical supplies, or personal items. A system for evacuating or transporting medical patients using the blanket in coordination with one or more items of information.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/696,629, filed Sep. 4, 2012, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to an evacuation system and blanket to be used in evacuations of hospitals, nursing homes, other care facilities, rescue efforts, and for transport or evacuation of patients in other emergency situations.

2. Description of Related Art

In evacuations and other emergencies, time is of the essence. However, in times of emergency and dire circumstances, chaos and confusion can drastically affect the outcome. For example, a hospital, nursing home, public health shelter, or other care facility may need to be evacuated due to a tornado, hurricane, tsunami, earthquake, fire, terrorist attack, or other similar emergency. Similarly, an individual could need immediate transport to obtain emergency care from an accident site or site of trauma or other rescue location. During an evacuation process, multiple tasks must be accomplished by hospital personnel, emergency-care personnel, and patient caregivers. One of these tasks is the gathering and organizing patient care items, medical information, medication, personal items and the appropriate documentation that must accompany the patient to ensure proper treatment during and after the evacuation and transport to provide the most seamless transition of care possible. One particular concern is keeping these items with the patient during the evacuation and transport.

Thus, there is a need in the art for an apparatus and system that provides a quick and simple way to gather and organize patient information, records, medications, personal items, or any other material or information needed to evacuate and relocate a patient while providing the information required, thereby ensuring the patient adequate continuity of care.

Further, in retrospective study of past events impacting hospital and healthcare systems, nursing homes, and public health shelters, the accountability and protection of patients seems to have a wide variety of solution methods which are not consistent in the industry.

Thus, there is a need in the art for an apparatus or system that may easily be commonly used within a geographical area so as to provide consistency, reliability and familiarity to reduce and perhaps eliminate errors due to interruptions in patient care due to evacuation or transport of the patients.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed toward an evacuation blanket that can be used on its own or as part of a system for evacuating or transporting a patient. The evacuation blanket comprises a first side, a second side, a first outer edge, a second outer edge, a first end, a second end, and a plurality of pockets disposed on one of the sides wherein the open end of the pocket is proximate a center of the second side and the closed end is proximate one of the outer edges. One of the sides of the blanket may be a metallic fabric to help retain heat and may be used when hypothermia is an issue. The evacuation blanket may also include a strap or string to secure the blanket to the patient or to a stretcher or gurney. The strap or string may include a fastener disposed thereon to help secure the blanket around the patient or to the gurney.

The evacuation blanket may include a centerline passing through first end and second end, wherein the open end of each pocket is proximate the centerline and the pocket extends away from and substantially perpendicular to the centerline toward the first outer edge. The pocket may include a closed end proximate the first side. The pockets may be clear, or may be solid with a clear window. The pockets may also have a label identifying the contents that are to be deposit therein and may include a closure flap covering the open end.

The evacuation blanket may be used as part of a system for evacuating or transporting a medical patient that also includes one or more item being stored in at least one of the plurality of pockets, wherein the item of information may patient identification information, treatment instructions, medical supplies, and/or personal items. The system may include the blanket having a pre-determined checklist disposed in one of the plurality of pockets which gives evacuating personnel instructions of how to install the blanket and what items are to be transported with the patient. The system for evacuating or transporting a medical patient may also include a unique barcode patient identifier for each patient and a barcode reader.

Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawing figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying drawings form a part of the specification and are to be read in conjunction therewith, in which like reference numerals are employed to indicate like or similar parts in the various views.

FIG. 1 is a top view of one embodiment of the present evacuation blanket constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of one embodiment of the evacuation blanket of FIG. 1 in use.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description of the present invention references the accompanying drawing figures that illustrate specific embodiments in which the invention can be practiced. The embodiments are intended to describe aspects of the present invention in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. Other embodiments can be utilized and changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The present invention is defined by the appended claims and, therefore, the description is not to be taken in a limiting sense and shall not limit the scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

As shown in FIG. 1, the evacuation blanket 10 of the present invention includes a first side 12 and a second side 14. Blanket 10 also includes a first outer edge 16, a second outer edge 18, a first end 20 and a second end 22. Blanket 10 has a center line 24 that is substantially parallel to the outer edges 16 and 18 and bisects each end 20 and 22. Blanket 10 can be used in a related evacuation system that uses clear pockets 26 on the second side 14 to place and secure necessary patient items 102. Patient items may commonly include patient information, records, medications, personal items, or any other material or information needed to transport or relocate a patient. However, there are a number of items which may be placed in pockets 26. The clear pockets 26 encourage and facilitate the use and reading of bar coded documents and markers, such as those created by hospital admissions, or triage tags, intended to aid in the patient tracking and accountability.

One embodiment of blanket 10 may be a blanket made of reflective plastic on first side 12, and a darker plastic on the second side 14. However, any color or pattern of material may be used. For example, a blaze orange or other florescent color may be used when it is desirable to promote visibility. Alternatively, a camouflaging color and pattern may be used to decrease visibility. However, the color of blanket 10 may be any color or pattern. Blanket 10 may be constructed of spun-bond polypropylene, other plastics, nylon, cotton, canvas, neoprene, Mylar, any polymeric material, or any other material now known or hereafter developed having qualities desired. Further, one or both sides 12 and 14 of blanket 10 may be constructed from a metallic fabric or other reflective material now known or hereafter developed having desired properties. The metallic fabric is desirable in some applications as it may be used to reflect body heat and may be effective against hypothermia.

The reason for evacuating a hospital or care facility is often damage or impending damage to the hospital infrastructure due to fire, severe weather, or other man-made or natural disaster. Therefore, the patients may end up being exposed to the threatening environments of these conditions. The protection of the patient from the elements and environment of these conditions is a significant concern when planning for coping with these types of emergencies. Accordingly, embodiments of blanket 10 may be made from water-proof, fire-resistant, and/or breathable materials, or any combination thereof that prevent the patient from getting wet, burned by air-borne cinders, or overheated. Moreover, the material comprising blanket 10 may have a high abrasion resistance and durability.

In one exemplary embodiment, blanket 10 may have a size of about fifty-six inches wide by about eighty-two inches long (56″×82″). However, a person of skill in the art will recognize that the exact width and length are not critical to the functionality and, therefore, blanket 10 may be any other width and length now known or hereafter developed to perform the functions identified herein. The length of blanket 10 is generally sufficient to cover substantially the entire length of a normal human being patient's body. The width of blanket 10 is generally sufficient to wrap substantially around normal-sized persons.

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of blanket 10 that is water-repellent and has a plurality of pockets 26 made of clear or substantially transparent material on the second side 14. One embodiment of the present blanket 10 includes eight (8) to ten (10) pockets made of clear plastic material. However, any number of pockets may be utilized. An alternative embodiment (not shown) includes pockets 26 that are solid, but have windows of clear or substantially transparent material. Pockets 26 that are clear or have windows allow quick visual identification of the patient items being transported, including, but not limited to: bar coded or otherwise designated patient identification papers or triage tags; pill bottles, other pharmaceutical preparations, dressing supplies, or other medical supplies; personal items such as a patient's glasses, dentures, hearing aids, slippers; snacks, food and water; or any other medically required or related items or other personal items. The caregivers, responders or other personnel may use a bar code reader to read the bar-coded patient identification items and to verify that an item is belongs to a particular patient.

As shown in FIG. 1, an embodiment of blanket 10 includes pockets 26 arranged in a row on the second surface 14 of blanket 10 with a pocket opening 28 adjacent to the center line 24. Pockets 26 may extend away from and substantially perpendicular to center line 24 toward outer edge 16 of blanket 10. A closed end 29 of pocket 26 is proximate outer edge 16. One embodiment (not shown) may include a second row of pockets on the other side of center line 24 wherein the pocket openings are also proximate center line 24 and the second row of pockets extends away from and substantially perpendicular to center line 24 toward outer edge 18 of blanket 10. A person of skill in the art will appreciate that this second row of pockets may have substantially the same construction as pockets 26 described herein. As shown in FIG. 2, the portion of blanket 10 including pockets 26 will fall to the side of the patient 100 when draped such that edge 16 is below center line 24, thus utilizing gravity to keep the items 102 in pockets 26. In an embodiment with two rows of pockets 26, there will be pockets that fall on both sides of the patient when blanket 10 is draped over the patient. At least one pocket 26 may be sized so as to receive a patient file or other instructions on a standard sheet of paper.

The pockets 26 may have labels 30 written or attached thereon to indicate to evacuating personnel what items 102 should be placed in which pocket 26. This assists personnel in organizing the patient information and items at the time of evacuation or transport, and also allows for quick identification of patients and easily locating necessary medical information or supplies. One embodiment may include a flap 32 that covers pocket opening 28 of pocket 26 as shown in both FIGS. 1 and 2. Flap 32 may be a series of individual flaps that cover each pocket individually, a plurality of flaps wherein each flap covers two or more pockets, or a single flap that covers the entire row of pockets as shown. One or more flaps 32 and pockets 26 may include a securing mechanism (not shown) such as a hook and loop fastener (VELCRO®), snaps, buttons, toggle connection, ties, or any other securing mechanism now known or hereafter developed.

Blanket 10 may also include one or more draw strings or straps 36 proximate the four corners 34 a-d of blanket 10 as shown in FIG. 1 to wrap blanket 10 around the patient and/or secure blanket 10 to the patient or stretcher. One embodiment of blanket 10 may include draw strings or straps 36 at the first and second (head and foot) ends 20 and 22 of blanket 10 to facilitate keeping blanket 10 on the patient 100 during transport. However, any number of draw strings or straps 36 may be located anywhere along the length of blanket 10. Simple sleeves (not shown) may be sewn inside blanket 10 to facilitate use by the ambulatory patient. Blanket 10 may be foldable in a number of configurations for easy storage. Grommets 38 may also be present in the corners 34, along the edges and/or along the ends to facilitate tie-downs or to hang blanket 10, or for any other reason. Alternatively, in some situations string 36 may not be included as it may create hazards for the patient or transport crew. Another embodiment may include one or more fabric straps 37 alone or in combination with the string 36. Fabric straps 37 may be disposed along the length of the outer edges 16 and 18. Fabric straps 37 may also use a securing mechanism, such as a hook and loop fastener (VELCRO®), snaps, buttons, toggle connection, ties, or any other securing mechanism now known or hereafter developed. Fabric straps 37 may be configured to wrap around a patient or be shorter for securing blanket 10 to a gurney or stretcher.

The present evacuation system and blanket 10 is easy to use. Blanket 10 of the present invention may be used for evacuations or transports of a patient from hospitals, nursing homes, or other care center or by emergency care providers such as paramedics, the coast guard, or firemen. Moreover, blanket 10 may be used in military or combat situations during the evacuation of injured soldiers. In the case of an evacuation of a medical facility, the administrators and/or the managers of a hospital or other patient care facility may create a check-list of items that need to be gathered for a patient during an evacuation. This check-list can be created in a planning phase and provided to staff during training or included in an employee or operations manual. A copy of the list may also be kept in one of the pockets 26 during storage of blanket 10. This list will make gathering, storing, and filling pockets 26 of blanket 10 easier and performed more consistently. During the chaos and confusion that are inherent in the evacuation of a healthcare facility, blanket 10 can be applied to a patient 100 by non-trained individuals, volunteer staff, department technicians, orderlies etc. A pre-made check-list of required items included with a patient 100 during an evacuation provides an excellent means for verifying that the required items to go with the patient are indeed with the patient. The clear plastic pockets 26 make it easy to see items 10, including notes that may be intended for the receiving facility so there will be minimal lapse of patient care continuity.

As shown in FIG. 2, blanket 10 will be draped over a patient 100 and may also be wrapped around the patient 100 wherein one or more drawstrings or straps 36 may be secured around the patient or to a stretcher to secure blanket 10 to the patient. The reflective side (first side 12) as shown may be placed next to the patient and the reflective surface provides the ability to retain heat and prevent the potential hypothermia.

The task of filling the pockets with items 102, including personal items, medical supplies, prescription medication, other desired or required information, is completed by authorized personnel. It may be desirable to make the patient medications the last items to be placed in the pockets. This allows support staff to get the patient ready and allows the higher level personnel the task of verifying the patient identification and ensuring the patient has all medically necessary items 102. For example, a final check for patient identification and completion of departure checklist can be verified by having the patient's nurse and a pharmacy representative at the medication drawer, with the MAR (medication administration record), to pull the needed medication as prescribed, check against the patients arm band identification and place the meds in the pocket. After this final verification, the patient is then ready to be evacuated or moved.

Use of the present evacuation system and blanket 10 commonly within a geographical area among all healthcare organizations can provide a more consistent and predictable method for management of the items that are easily forgotten while packing up the patient and/or misplaced during transport. Regulatory agencies such as The Joint Commission for Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) and Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) look for mitigation strategies in the Emergency Action Plans of institutions such as hospitals, nursing homes, public health shelters and other agencies tasked with managing mass care and mass sheltering. Blanket 10 and the associated evacuation system is an excellent piece of equipment to stock in each patient care department, and are ready to use in the case of emergency. Blanket 10 satisfies and is applicable to each of the four fundamental emergency planning areas: mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery. It is an organizational tool that can facilitate the continuity of care and ultimate system recovery adding an important strategy for any Continuity of Care Plan (CoOP).

In addition to use in emergency and evacuation situations, one embodiment of the present blanket 10 may be used by outdoorsmen to store and carry equipment, maps, supplies, or other items. Blanket 10 may be particularly useful in the backseat of a car or truck, draped over a horse or ATV, hung as an organizer for camping, or storage in an RV. There are many other uses for the blanket of the present invention.

From the foregoing it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to attain all ends and objects hereinabove set forth together with the other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the structure.

It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims.

Since many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense. 

I claim:
 1. An evacuation blanket comprising: a first side; a second side; a first outer edge; a second outer edge and a plurality of pockets disposed on said one of said sides wherein the open end of the pocket is proximate a center of said second side and said closed end is proximate one of said outer edges.
 2. The evacuation blanket of claim 1 further comprising a pre-determined checklist disposed in one of said plurality of pockets.
 3. The evacuation blanket of claim 1 wherein said plurality of pockets are clear.
 4. The evacuation blanket of claim 1 wherein at least one of said plurality of pockets has a label identifying the contents.
 5. The evacuation blanket of claim 1 wherein said first side of said blanket is a metallic fabric.
 6. The evacuation blanket of claim 1 wherein said blanket comprises a strap or string to secure the blanket.
 7. The evacuation blanket of claim 6 wherein said strap or string includes a fastener disposed thereon to secure the blanket around a patient or to a gurney.
 8. The evacuation blanket of claim 1 wherein said blanket includes a centerline passing through first end and second end, wherein an opening of said pockets is proximate said centerline and said pocket extends away from and substantially perpendicular to said centerline toward said first side wherein said pocket includes a closed end proximate said first side.
 9. The evacuation blanket of claim 8 wherein said pockets include a closure flap covering said open end.
 10. A system for evacuating or transporting a medical patient comprising: an evacuation blanket comprising a first side, a second side, a first outer edge, a second outer edge and a plurality of pockets disposed on said one of said sides wherein the open end of the pocket is proximate a center of said second side and said closed end is proximate one of said outer edges; one or more item stored in at least one of the plurality of pockets, the one or more item being one of patient identification information, treatment instructions, medical supplies, and personal items.
 11. The system for evacuating or transporting a medical patient of claim 10 further comprising a pre-determined checklist.
 12. The system for evacuating or transporting a medical patient of claim 10 further comprising an item of patient identification being a unique barcode identifier for a patient.
 13. The system for evacuating or transporting a medical patient of claim 12 further comprising a barcode reader.
 14. The system for evacuating or transporting a medical patient of claim 10 wherein said plurality of pockets are clear.
 15. The system for evacuating or transporting a medical patient of claim 10 wherein at least one of said plurality of pockets has a label identifying the contents.
 16. The system for evacuating or transporting a medical patient of claim 10 wherein said first side of said blanket is a metallic fabric.
 17. The system for evacuating or transporting a medical patient of claim 10 wherein said blanket comprises a strap or string to secure the blanket around a patient.
 18. The system for evacuating or transporting a medical patient of claim 10 wherein said blanket includes a centerline passing through first end and second end, wherein an opening of said pockets is proximate said centerline and said pocket extends away from and substantially perpendicular to said centerline toward said first side wherein said pocket includes a closed end proximate said first side.
 19. The system for evacuating or transporting a medical patient of claim 10 wherein said pockets include a closure flap covering said open end. 